Tech Resources

At AppJam+, we understand that as comprehensive and engaging our program is, we are not able to be there every step of the way for your child due to our own limited resources as an organization. Your children have embarked on a journey to explore Computer Science and we want to help support you in playing a key role in continuing to nurture their interest. Below are some free online resources that we recommend to help you further your child’s or your interest in STEM – specifically the technology and engineering focus areas.

All these resources require a computer/laptop/tablet device and internet connection. If those are not readily accessible to you, local libraries or community centers in your surrounding area should have these resources available and open to the public.

Website: https://scratch.mit.edu/Age Range: K-12Description:
Scratch is a programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations -- and share your creations with others around the world. In the process of designing and programming Scratch projects, young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. It is a great introduction into learning how to code using drag and drop, block-based programming.

Website: https://studio.code.org/Age Range: K-12Description:
Code.org is a non-profit that mainly focuses on the “Hour of Code” campaign to increase participation in computer science, but they also provide a learning resource (Code Studio) for all ages.

Website: https://www.gethopscotch.com/Age Range: K-5Description:
Hopscotch is a visual programming language where you can create you own mobile application games right off of your mobile device. It is a great introduction into learning how to code and learning coding concepts through creating apps.

Website: https://www.kodable.com/Age Range: K-5Description:
Kodable is a block based coding app for the iPad that teaches students how to program directly. Comprised of lessons to help the student learn, each lesson includes vocabulary words, materials and instructions. Students will drag and drop commands to program their character to solve puzzles. Along the way they learn programming terms, logic, problem solving, computational thinking, functions, and debugging.

Website: https://www.tynker.com/Age Range: K-5Description:
Tynker is an online platform that offers online coursers for children to learn coding. Students can learn how to code robots, build apps, explore STEM, mod Minecraft, code drones and build games! Starting from visual blocks and then progressing to JavaScript and Python, Tynker is a complete learning system.

Website: https://www.allcancode.com/homeAge Range: K-7Description:
Run Marco ia an adventure game where you learn coding. Using Google Blockly, a visual programming language, you'll guide Marco or Sophia through levels for them to discover themselves.

Website: http://www.alice.org/Age Range: K-8Description:
Alice is a block based programming platform that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives or program games.

Website: https://codecombat.com/homeAge Range: K-8Description:
CodeCombat is an online platform for students to learn computer science while playing through a real game. Students go through self-paced courses to learn basic coding syntax to advanced concepts.

Website: http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/Age Range: 6-8th gradeDescription:
MIT App Inventor is an innovative beginner's introduction to programming and app creation that transforms the complex language of text-based coding into visual, drag-and-drop building blocks. The simple graphical interface grants even an inexperienced novice the ability to create a basic, fully functional app within an hour or less.

Website: http://snap.berkeley.edu/runAge Range: 6-12th gradeDescription:
Snap! Is an extended reimplementation of Scratch that allows you to build your own blocks. It builds off the Scratch software with added complexity and features. These extra capabilities make it a suitable introduction to computer science for high school or college students.

Website: https://www.codecademy.com/Age Range: 6-12th gradeDescription:
Codecademy is an online interactive platform that offers free coding classes for 12 programming languages (Python, Java, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, etc.). Learners discover concepts by building and receiving feedback from peers while at the same time allowing for a tangible result. It is the next step after block based programming as it delves deeper into actual syntax and lines of coding.

Website: https://www.edx.org/Age Range: 6-12th gradeDescription:
edX is an online learning site and MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) provider. It offers hundreds of free courses from universities and institutions that range from introductory to advance. In addition to Computer Science courses, they also have other subjects rounding out the entire educational spectrum.

Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/Age Range: 6-12th gradeDescription:
Khan Academy is an online resource that offers instructional videos and practice exercises that allow learners to study at their own pace from introductory courses to more advanced levels. In addition to Computer Science courses, they also have other subjects rounding out the entire educational spectrum. It’s also available in other languages, such as Spanish.

Website: https://www.python.org/Age Range: 6-12th gradeDescription:
Python.org is a website dedicated to the programming language Python. It provides resources on how to get started learning Python, to more advanced topics as well.

Website: https://dash.generalassemb.ly/Age Range: 9-12th gradeDescription:
GA Dash by General Assembly is a fun and free online course that teachers the basics of web development. Students will learn HTML, CSS and Javascript.

Website: https://bento.io/Age Range: 9-12th gradeDescription:
Bento is a website that provides compiles resources to find free tutorials or lessons on how to code. It’s main focus is on web development, but there are a variety of topics that are applicable to many different fields.

Website: https://www.codewars.com/Age Range: 9-12th gradeDescription:
Codewars is a platform that helps teach different programming languages trough gamification. Students are confronted with programming tasks, called Kata, that they work to solve. Along with other activities, they’ll learn how to code.

Website: http://certification.hubspot.com/hubspot-design-certificationAge Range: 9-12th gradeDescription:
HubSpot Design is a certification focused on those who have had some previous web development experience. It is a two part certification, with the first being a video learning and the second a practical test.

Website: http://www.theodinproject.com/homeAge Range: 9-12th gradeDescription:
The Odin Project is an online coding bootcamp on web development that is available in-person or online study groups. You’ll get to build a portfolio through projects and possibly progress towards a potential career.